Chapter 24

Madness

A week has passed since Aurelia was officially informed by her father about the engagement. Though to her it feels like it had been much longer. Aurelia had been stewing with her feelings, feeling more frustrated and powerless than she had ever felt before. But more than anything, she simply felt alone.

The weight of the engagement sat heavily on her shoulders, isolating her from everyone else. The people she might have turned to comfort- her father, Sybille-felt distant. Her father's guilt made every interaction strained. Sybille's usual pragmatism offered her no comfort.

And Ondolemar? She wasn't sure if they would ever speak to each other casually again. The memory of his words in the library a week ago still stung. A lapse in judgement. She wondered if there had even ever been any truth in the gentleness he had shown her before that.

There was no time to ponder about it. Today was the official engagement announcement. She stood in front of the tall mirror in her chambers. She wore a regal blue dress, its silver intricate embroidery inspired by the Thalmor's refined aesthetics. The dress was a nod to Nordic and Altmer designs. Though Aurelia couldn't help but to feel the dress was nothing more than a cage.

The grand hall was once again decorated lavishly for the occasion. The usual courtiers mingled about, among them a few more Thalmor representatives seem to linger on the outskirts.

Aurelia stood beside her father at the far end of the hall, her face carefully composed. The presence of so many Thalmor agents in the room made her skin crawl. She could feel their eyes watching her, evaluating her, ensuring that she plays her part well.

Ondolemar stood not far from them, his posture was straight and perfectly composed. He looked every bit the dignified Commander expected of him. Aurelia didn't need to look at him to feel his presence. The very presence that had once made her feel safe, in an unspoken way. Now it felt stifling, a reminder of the chains she felt tightening around her.

She kept her gaze forward, refusing to let her eyes wander to him. The idea of looking at Ondolemar felt like a betrayal to her own emotions. Once, his calm composure had been a source of reassurance. Now it only reminded her of how drastically their relationship had changed.

The thought made Aurelia's grip tighten on her skirt. The delicate fabric bunching beneath her fingers. For a moment Aurelia wondered if she'd be able to maintain her composure tonight. She glanced at her father, he stood tall and proud, completely unaware of the storm brewing with in her.

Ondolemar, ever perceptive, must have noticed her tension. He remained perfectly composed, but there was a subtle shift in his stance, as if he were preparing to step in should she falter. The thought made her bristle. She did not need him to save her. Any yet-there was still apart of her that yearned for the understanding they once had.

Her father finally turned to her, he offered a kind, reassuring smile, "Are you ready, my daughter?"

Aurelia nodded, trying her best to make a small genuine smile, "yes. I'm ready." She murmured.

He nodded before stepping forward to address the crowd. The room fell silent as all eyes turned towards the king.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Torygg began. "Tonight we are gathered not only to celebrate Skyrim's continued prosperity but also to mark a union that will be strengthen our ties and secure our future in these uncertain times."

Aurelia swallowed hard, she forced herself to keep her expression composed as her father's words rang through the hall.

"It is with great honor that I announce the engagement of my daughter, Princess Aurelia, to Commander Ondolemar of the Aldmeri Dominion," he declared.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd, followed by a polite applause, though it sounded muted in Aurelia's ears. She felt as if she couldn't move, her breath was shallow, as her father gestured for her and Ondolemar to step forward.

Ondolemar moved first, his movements were smooth and deliberate as he extended a hand towards her. For a brief moment, Aurelia hesitated, her gaze flickering to his. She forced herself to take his hand, her fingers trembled slightly against his grip.

As they stood before the gathered crowd, a new wave of applause erupted. Aurelia did her best to ground herself, but she felt as if she were falling. Ondolemars grip was firm, but careful as if he sensed her unease. His expression remained unreadable, but voice dropped low enough for only her to hear.

"Breathe," he murmured, though he said it more as a command than as comfort. "Do not let them see your nerves."

Aurelia forced herself to inhale deeply. For a second Aurelia wanted to move her hand from Ondolemars, before realizing she could not. His touch was too cold, too deliberate. It reminded her of everything that they had become.

Still, they moved as they stepped into the first dance together.

The way Aurelia's hand had trembled in his left him more unsettled than he would admit. She is the daughter of a king, he reminded himself. A Princess must bear this burden with dignity.

Why does she look at me as though I've betrayed her?

Her hesitation when taking his hand had not gone unnoticed. He could feel the tension in the way she moved. It was unlike the Aurelia he had once knew-the spirited, inquisitive girl.

As they dance, his grip tightened slightly on her hand, just enough to ground her.

Aurelia immediately noticed the gentle squeeze of Ondolemar's hand. It was another reminder of what they had once had and perhaps what could have been. She resisted the urge the tighten her hand back. She did not want to acknowledge Ondolemar.

And so for the first time they danced together in silence. Aurelia kept her movements perfectly controlled, as she followed his lead. At the end of the dance, Aurelia's breath came slightly quicker than usual. Though she maintained a calm composure. She gently pulled her hands from ondolemar's. As she faced him she couldn't quite reach his eyes.

"Commander," she said softly, giving him a brief nod before turning away.

Ondolemar watched as Aurelia withdrew her hand from his, the subtle but unmistakable tension in her movements clear to him. He didn't reach for her again, though he wanted to—wanted to pull her back, to make her stay, to bridge the distance between them.

The coldness in her words had cut through him more than he expected. He wanted to speak, to say something that could somehow mend the space between them, but there was nothing to say, not now.

He stood there, watching her walk away.

With a heavy heart, he turned back to the gathering crowd, his expression composed once more, but inside, the ache remained.

Though they remained apart, Ondolemar kept a watchful eye on Aurelia from across the room. His gaze was subtle and his presence was unassuming. But every movement she made drew his attention. He couldn't help but notice how all the men round her seemed to linger just a little longer than necessary, either offering sympathy or flirtation.

Ondolemar's eyes narrowed as he noticed Aurelia moving from the corner of his eye. He watched as she slipped through a side exit, disappearing into the dimly lit hallway. His instincts told him to follow, ensure she was safe, but he hesitated. The last time he had followed her, things had become more complicated than he ever anticipated. But Ondolemar could not bring himself to stand back and watch her leave.

He turned, making his way to the exit Aurelia had taken. His footsteps were measured and quiet, ensuring no one would notice his absence.

The hallway was quiet, except for the soft hum of the music from the ballroom. Aurelia moved quickly, hoping to distance herself as far as possible from the weight of the engagement announcement. Her heart was pounding, her hands clutched at the side of her dress.

She hadn't notice Ondolemar at first, but a soft voice called from behind her.

"Aurelia," he said, "wait."

She froze, her breath catching. She slowly turned meeting his gaze. She wanted to speak, to ask him why he had followed her, but she couldn't find the word. Instead she watched as he took a step closer to her.

Ondolemar studied her. He was unsure what to say. The tension between them was suffocating, and he wanted to reach out to comfort her, but he held back, not knowing if it would be wanted.

Suddenly a strong gust of wind pushed open a nearby door in between them. They both looked towards the door confused as to how it had opened. But before either of them could say a thing, a second even stronger gust of wind pushed them both into the small broom closet.

Aurelia stumbled into Ondolemar, who quickly helped steady her. The door slammed shut and Aurelia thought she heard the faintest laugh from Sheogorath.